general information

The fiery crucibe from which the likes of Butch Van Artsdalen, Gerry Lopez, Mark Richards and Tom Carrol have all proven their worth over the course of surfing history. Jack Johnson wiped out here so badly that he received 150 stitches in his forehead. This is one of the most deadliest waves in the world, the crows factor often pushes surfers to take off on impossible sections where serious injury is the only possible outcome.

The name Banzai Pipeline was first used in the 1961 Bruce Brown movie - Surfing Hollow Days. The name was a fusion betwwen the nearby beach, Banzai Beach and the thoughts of the surfers accompanyiny Bruce to catch what were the first waves at this then un-named spot.

The wave itself requires a poerful NW swell to push over one of the three reefs that form the break. The more powerful the swell, the further on the outer reef the wave will break. 2nd Reef breaks at around 12 feet and third reef 17 feet plus. If you have never surfed Pipe, do not even contemplate going out in a 2nd or 3rd reef swell - repeat, do not contemplate. Those unlucky enough to wipe out badly here will be greeted with an unforgiving tabletop reef with several large lava spires inserted at random intervals around the break.

IN MEMORIAM - RECENT DEATHS AT PIPELINE 

Moto Watanabe - Pro Japanese surfer (1/19/2004)
Jon Mozo - Surf photographer (2/10/2005)
Malik Joyeux - Tahitian Pro (12/02/2005)
Joaquin Velilla - Puerto Rican big wave surfer (1/12/2007)
Joshua Nakata - local bodyboarder (03/16/2008)